Maze device



United States Patent [72] inventor Ronald W. Redo 773 Blossom Way, Hayward, California 94541 [21] Appl. No. 718,984 [22] Filed April 1, 1968 [45] Patented Nov. 10, 1970 [54] MAZE DEVICE 5 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

[52] 0.8. CI 273/153 [51] Int. Cl A63f9/08, A631) 67/14 [50] Field ofSearch 273/108, 153,153(S),126,l.109,110.111,113.l15

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 589,508 9/1897 Mead 273/111 797,105 8/1905 Graves 273/110 1,635,020 7/1927 Wilkins 273/109 2,525,738 10/1950 Tormey 273/153X 1,027,691 5/1912 Cleveland Primary ExaminerAnton O. Oechsle Assistant ExaminerThomas Zack ABSTRACT: A maze device including a board or the like to provide a working surface from which a plurality of pins at various spaced intervals from each other project, thus defining a multiplicity of connected and intersecting paths between the pins. A token is provided so shaped and dimensioned that it can be slidably maneuvered between certain of the pins and not others, and thus the token is movable along a mazelike path on the surface of the board from one station thereon to another remote from the first. The mazelike path or paths which permit passage of a token, and those which do not, are such as not to be visually discernible to the average observer in respect to which will permit such passage until actual movement with the token is undertaken. in addition, certain of the pins are provided with impediments of various shapes positioned at different elevations above the working surface of the board, and these impediments cofunction with portions of the token to permit or bar passage on the path between the pin with the impediment and the one adjacent to it.

Patented Nov. 10; 1970 'Sheet L of 2 INVENTOR. RONALD w. REDO BY (fa/mm ATTORNEYS v Patented Nov. 10, I970 3,53,1Q0

Sheet 2. of 2 INVENTOR. RONALD W. REDO BY v Wan/um, W, M;

ATTORNEYS MAZE DEVICE Maze devices are generally well known in the toy and amusement art and usually employ labyrinths defined by segments of parallel walls, slots in the playing surface of the device, or the like, through which a movable token is slidably maneuvered. The labyrinthine walls or slots, as the case may be, constrain passage of the token to a particular path fromone zone on the playing surface to another remote therefrom, Usually, various alternative routes are available, except that all but a selected one or two lead to so-called dead end or blind passages in the maze, which are visibly discernible; and eventually the player is required to maneuver maneuver the playing token to take only those passages which lead to the goal at the end of the maze. However, due to the evident and discernible nature of the passages, such devices are often not as challenging as-a good puzzle should be, unless it is quite large with extensive labyrinth arrangements. Yet when of such size and character, these devices may become boring, since they only involve choosing the right passage to slide the token thcrethrough.

It is an object of the present invention to provide amaze device which is generally more challenging than those of the prior art with which I am familiar, and yet may be contained within a relatively limited working surface.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a maze device in combination with a working surface upon which there are paths for movement of the token from one station thereon to another remote therefrom which are not visually discernible to the average user.

Another object of the invention is to provide a maze device wherein the user must choose not only the right path upon which to maneuver the slidable token, but also the right position of the token in its path of travel in order to maintain movement therealong.

Thus a feature of the present invention is that movement of the token along a particular maze path may require not only the choice of the right path but the manner of'positioning the token therealong. In this way the present inventionhasthe advantage of being generally more challenging and less boring than prior art maze devices with which I am familiar.

Another feature and advantage of the present invention is that it may be usedas a culture-free test in clinical psychology for measuring the subjects ability with spatial relations, frustrations and the like.

Further details of the invention are set forth in the following description thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings which show on embodiment of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention utilizing the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled inthe art without departing from the true spirit ofthe invention.

Turning now to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the maze device board embodying my invention;

FIG, 2 is a sectional view taken along line 22 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4A, B and C are views of one token embracing a part of my inventionaand FIGS. 5A, B and C are views of another token embracing a part of my invention. 7

The invention is understood by referring first to FIG. 1, wherein maze device I0 embodying my invention includes board 12, having as shown in the drawing the generally smooth face or side 14 (shown in the plane of the drawing) fabricated to provide a working surface. Projecting from this surface is a plurality of pins 16 secured to board 12 thereby defining a multiplicity of connected and intersecting path segments therebetwecn upon working surface 14. For purposes of illustration herein. reference is made to particular path segments l829, inclusive. For convenience, several connected segments may be designated by a single numeral,'where such will not cause confusion. It is understood, however, that such segments exist everywhere upon the surface of the board between the aforementioned pins.

A playing piece or token 32 is provided slidably mounted on surface 14; and, in the position shown in solid line at FIG. I, the token is located at one station. Thereafter, in a manner to be described in detail hereinbelow, the token may be slidably maneuvered tofanother station on the board remote from the first one. The former station is located at the end of vector 29, whereat the token may be slidably taken from the board between particular pins 160 and 16b, after having been continuously moved on surface 14 between the aforementioned stations along path segments 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 (first portion up to intersection with 24), 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29.

It should be noted, in maneuvering the token along the path described in the above paragraph from one station to another remote therefrom, that a certain degree of rotation and sidetracking of the token is required to achieve the desired movement. Such requirements for maneuvering, which enhances the challenge of my particular maze device, is one of its most desirable features advantages.

To illustrate the foregoing, attention is directed first to movement of the token along path segments 18, 19, part of 20 and then onto 21, the token being initially oriented as shown by solid lines with nose section 36 in the direction of travel. If the user proceeds to slide the token, nose section 36 leading, along segments, 18, 19, and then, turning, along segments 20 and 11, choices which may well appear as logical to the user, the token will be stymied in that further movement will be impossible because of the spacing between pins 16v and 16w and their impediments coacting so as to interfere with and block movement of the token.

The user is then compelled to bring the token back to its ini- 19. This is so because in order for the token to proceed along path segments 20 and 21 tosegment 22, it must approach pins 16k and 161 with formed protrusion 42 passing under mushroom-shaped impediment 44 secured to the top of pin 16k. The latter relationship is shown in sectionaldetail in FIG. 2.

In order to achieve the foregoing required orientation of token 32, it is necessary for the user to sidetrackalongpath segment 13 toreg'ion 15 where the token may be rotated l in the direction of arrow '17. Thus reoriented, the token may be returned to its initial position between pins 16c, d except that now back end 38 of the token is oriented in the direction 'of travel to be taken.

Now the token may proceed along segments 18, 19 and 20;

after passing between pins"16h and 16k, forward portion 36 of the token may be slidablydisplaced in the direction of arrow 40. Advancing between pins 16k and 161 along path segments 21 and 22, formed protrusion 42 passes beneath the overhanging mushroom impediment 44 secured to the top of pin I6k, as mentioned above, In this manner, a particular path comprising a particular sequence of connected path segments must be selected by the user of the deviceto define the particular passage between one station on the board to another.

A further advantage of my particular maze device is that a tokens main axis curvature can cofunction with angles in the pathsegments, as'in path segment 25, to provide passage therealong. Pin 16g and the impediment secured thereto, and adjacent pins prevent token 32 from advancing along path segments 24 and 25 with end portion 36 leading. Only by reversing the token to a position wherein its curvature coincides with that of path segment 25, can the token proceed to path segment 26. To achieve. the proper alignment of the token, the narrowend 36 must be advanced between pins 161' and l6j along path segment 23, it being evident that token width 34 prevents the token from completely passing between pins 16: and I6] Thereafter rear portion 38 of the token is slidably displaced clockwise with respect to head end 36, so that the token thereafter may be slidably maneuvered along path segments 25 and 26.

Another feature and particular advantage of thepresent invention is that the path segments through which the token may be slidably moved along the surface of the board to a desired final position or station remote from a given starting station are visually nonevident to the average user, unless and until the token is actually brought to a position adjacent particular pins through which movement is to be achieved. This is so because token-barring path segments such as indicated by vector 20, token-passing path segments, such as segment 21, and paths that can be traveled in only one manner of token orientation, such as segment 22, may differ from each other only by the existence or placement of one impediment, or by the existence and/or degree of curvature of the path segment. For example, token-barring path segment 11, as limited by pins 16v and 16w, compared visually to token-passing path segment 21, as defined by pins 16c and 16k, and the curved path segment 23 as proscribed by pins 16! 16i and 16k As explained above, the interval between 16g and 16!: is not great enough to permit passage of a particular piece such as token 32, while the interval between pins 16k and 16e is great enough to permit such passage. However, the difference between such intervals may be made so small that the cooperation between the intervals and the width of the token cannot be visually determined by the average user prior to actual trial of movement of the token between the various pins. in this way the mazelike movement of the token between two stations on the board via some of the sequences of path segments making up a particular path which permits such movement may not generally be visually discriminated from other such paths which bar such movement.

As mentioned hereinabovc, the maze device of my invention is further enhanced by various impediments such as the mushroom-shaped head 44 secured to pin 16k, which coact with the token to further perplex the user in the selection ofa mazelike path over which to slide the token. In the particular instance shown in FIG. 2, head 44 is shaped and positioned above working surface 14 so as to cofunction with a predetermined portion of the token; that is, formed protrusion 42 of the token fits beneath the overhanging portion of the mushroom head so as to permit passage of the token beneath pin 16k and 161 On the other hand, when the same token is advanced to a position between certain other adjacent pins, either one or both of which may be provided with such overhanging impediments, because of interference which may occur between a formed portion of the token and the overhanging portion of the pin, the token may be barred from movement on the path segment between such of said pins. This would be the case, for example, in attempting to slidably maneuver token 32 at any angle of approach between particularly pins [6m ittltilfill, seen toward the upper center section of FIG. 1 and shown in sectional view at FIG. 3. An outline of the token is shown for purposes ofillustrating the attendant interference between the formed portions thereof and the pin obstructions themselves, particularly the protruding spherical impediment 46 secured to pin l6n As a further example of illustrating the relationship between the various formed and shaped portions ofthe token of my invention and the manner of providing a devious mazelike path for movement along the working surface of the board, particularly attention is now directed to path segments 28 and 29 shown in FIG. 1. Token 32 is shown in phantom lines positioned so as to advance via path segment 29 through the exit station defined by the interval between particular pins 160 and 1612 With momentary reference to FlGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, wherein 1 show token 32 alone and in somewhat greater clarity, and with particular reference to FIG. 4A, protrusion 42, representing a fanciful rendition of the right rear leg of a mouse, is shaped to form recess 48 between protrusion 42 and back portion 38. Returning to FIG. 1, and the path segment 29 between pins 16m and 16n, it can be seen by the phantom outline of token 32 resting between pins 16m and 160, that the token may be maneuvered so that pin 16m is engaged in recess 48. thereby achieving clearance between the forward end of the token and pin 16pm which supports impediment 52. Then, token 32 may be rotated about pin 16m in the direction of arrow 50 with the forward end of the token passing under the overhanging impediment 52, a movement that could not otherwise be achieved due to interferences and obstructions imposed by surrounding pins and impediments. Thereafter, and with the token now positioned by such pivotal movement pin 16m the token is permitted to be maintained on the path between pins and 16b into the desired region of passage between pins 16a and 16b.

Thereafter, and when slidably removing the token in the direction of path segment 29, still another feature of my invention maybecome'apparent. Recess 54 (FIG. 4A) receives pin 16b; and, to slidably move the token between pins 16a and 161), it is necessary to pivot the token thereabout so that the angle of direction of movement of the token between pins 16a and 16b is such as to minimize the obstructing width of the token therethrough and permit passage to the desired end station off the board.

Other variations of the types of impediments which may be associated with various of the pins protruding from the surface of the maze board are exemplified by elongate rod 56 pivotally secured by particular pin l6p; tapered block 58 pivotally secured to pin 16: and rectangular blocks 60, 62, and 64 pivotally secured to pins Mr, 169, and 16!, respectively. Such blocks, as indicated by the dashed lines in the vicinity thereof, are movable. to first and second positions, the first position shown by the solid lines and the second position by the dashed lines, which are further characterized as barring movement of the token on the path between one ofthe named pins and a pin adjacent thereto, while the second position is characterized by permitting movement of the token between the block thus positioned and pins adjacent thereto.

More specifically, and as a single example of the foregoing, if token 32 is imagined maneuvered to a position shown by dashed lines in the lower right-hand portion of F l0. 1, slidable movement therefrom between rod 56 and pin 16a, as shown by the solid lines in the drawing, would not be possible. By rotating block 60 to the dashed line position and swinging rod 56 to its dashedline position, as shown in FIG. 1, token 32 may thereafter be slidably maneuvered between pin 1614 and elongate rod 56.

A further feature of my invention is shaped to have adifferent predetermined form and dimensions compared to the token exemplified by piece 32, may be provided, resulting in an entirely different cofunctioning with the various pins and impediments hereinabove described, causing entirely different paths to be traveled across the board from one station to another. For example, in FlGS. 5A, B and C, I show a fanciful token which may be made to resemble a snail, or the like, and which is further characterized by overhanging head portion 68 having an overhanging chin establishing clearance 70 between the chin and the surface upon which the token rests. Such clearance permits passage of the chin portion of token 66 above certain short pegs, for example peg and impediment l6n shown in section view. in FIG. 3. Thus token 66 may proceed along path segments barred to a token having the shape and form such as that of token 32. The foregoing are exemplary of but two examples of enumerable form and dimension variations which i may employ in accordance with the invention herein to achieve other and different token shapes, so that a variety of different path segment sequences may be followed in slidably traversing a particular token from one station on the working surface of the maze board to another remote therefrom.

Although the foregoing detailed description of my invention is related to one embodiment of maze board and two specific token pieces for slidable engagement thereon, it is believed apparent that enumerable combinations of maze impediments and shaped token pieces designed to cofunction therewith to achieve the various features of my invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, yet be within the spirit of my invention and scope of appended claims.

lclaim:

1. A maze device comprising in combination:

a board having agenerally smooth working surface;

that other tokens,

a plurality olpins secured to said surface and projecting in a vertical direction therefrom, said pins forming a plurality of different paths that connect and. intersect depending on the distances between said pins; a slidable token having a flat bottom movable on said surface in one of the paths formed by said pins;

certain of said pins having an extending portion to engage said token thcrcbetween and an adjacent pin transverse to the direction of the path;

said token having a portion reduced in width thereon that is complementary with said pin-extending portion such that it will allow passage past said pin-extending portion only when said complementary width is aligned with said extending portion; and

the distances between adjacent pins forming the paths being such that the token may pass or may be barred from passing depending on whether or not there is engagement with adjacent pins of the path.

2. The maze device in accordance with claim 1 and wherein further at least one of said pin-extending portions comprises an overhanging member spaced away from said surface of the board.

3. The maze device in accordance with claim 1 and wherein further means pivotally attached to one of said pins and movable to first and second positions, said first position being characterized by said means barring movement of said token on the path between the one of said pins and the pin adjacent thereto. and said second position being characterized by said means permitting movement of said token on said last mentioned path.

4. The maze device in accordance with claim I wherein further the form of said token includes a recess shaped and positioned to receive selected ones of said pins and provide for pivotal movement of the token about one of said last pins to permit the token to be maintained on the path between the one pin and the pin adjacent thereto.

5. A maze device comprising in combination:

a board having a generally smooth working surface;

a plurality of pins secured to said surface and projecting in a vertical direction therefrom;

a multiplicity of connected and intersecting paths defined by said pins on said surface, a portion of one of said paths designated as a first station and another portion thereof remote from the first station designated as a second station;

an elongated token shaped to have a major longitudinal axis that is curved in a horizontal plane and includes one surface thereof fabricated to slidably engage said working surface for maze movement thereon via at least one of said paths from said first station to said second station; and

at least one curved path segment defined on the surface of said board by certain ones of said pins, said curved path segment being shaped to correspond to the major horizontal longitudinal axis of said token so that the token may be slidably maneuvered along said curved path segment only when aligned therewith and prevented from being slidably maneuvered along said curved path segment when not so aligned. 

